About the Book
Grandmother Thorn treasures her garden, where not a leaf, twig or pebble is allowed out of place. But when a persistent plant sprouts without her permission, Grandmother Thorn begins to unravel.
“Her hair became as tangled as the vines on her fence. Her garden fell into disrepair. One morning, she did not rake the path.”
A dear friend, the passage of seasons, and a gift only nature can offer help Grandmother Thorn discover that some things are beyond our control, and that sweetness can blossom in unexpected places.
Rebecca Hahn’s detailed multimedia illustrations capture the intricate beauty of nature and bring the rural Japanese village and its inhabitants to life in this folktale style story by debut author Katey Howes.
About the Author/Illustrator
Katey Howes loves connecting kids with the natural world through exploration, art, and science. On weekends, you might find her camping with her Brownie troop, curled up under a blanket with a stack of books, or discovering a new museum with her husband and three daughters. After ten years as a physical therapist, Katey now writes full time from her cluttered basement office. Grandmother Thorn is her first picture book, inspired by an epic battle with an unruly raspberry bush. You can connect with Katey online at kateyhowes.com or follow her on Twitter @kateywrites.
Rebecca Hahn lives in a skinny blue house in Portland Oregon with her husband, son, and one lonely gerbil (it’s a long story). Each page of this book was meticulously painted, sewn and crafted by hand. Rebecca’s artwork has appeared in numerous shows and publications around the world. Visit her online at www.rebeccahahn.com
Reviews
This well-crafted take offers a gentle lesson of stewardship and living in peace with nature. Teachers and parents will appreciate its story, and readers of all ages will delight in its appealing design. -School Library Journal
Beautifully illustrated with the distinctive artwork of Rebecca Hahn, "Grandmother Thorn" is an impressively original picture book story by Katey Howes that is especially commended for children ages 5 to 7 -- and will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to family, elementary school, and community library collections. -Midwest Book Review
It’s a quiet, visually arresting reminder that compromise has its benefits. -Publishers Weekly